Electrolux

Swedish company built on vacuum cleaners and, from 1925, on the absorption refrigerator invented by Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters.

Electrolux was formed when Axel Wenner-Gren joined two companies selling vacuum cleaners and lighting. The Model V vacuum cleaner of 1921 could stand on the floor and be pulled on runners, and it was sold door to door.

The absorption refrigerator with no moving parts became Electrolux's second great product. Raymond Loewy designed a vacuum cleaner for the company, and the Assistent kitchen machine came in 1940. Electrolux became one of the world's largest makers of household appliances.

Model number and year of manufacture on a rating plate; the logo has changed several times.

• Kitchen and household